2015 Big 12 Football Lines and Predictions

With the beginning of fall camps mere weeks away, and the 2015 college football season shortly behind it, it is time to offer my predictions on how the Big 12 will play out. These are not pre-season power rankings, but rather how I forsee the standings when all the games have been played.

Call me soothsayer, or call me idiot; I present to you my predictions for the 2015 Big 12 Conference.

#1 – TCU Horned Frogs

Win Total O/U: 10

Odds to win Big 12: +180

Odds to win National Championship: +1050

Final Record: 11-1 (8-1)

Loss: @Oklahoma

Almost everyone expects TCU to run through their competition this season en route to the school’s (as well as the Big 12’s) first College Football Playoff berth. I, however, don't believe they escape the gauntlet unscathed and am picking them to lose their only game (yes, ONLY game) November 21^st.

#2 – Oklahoma Sooners

Win Total O/U: 8.5

Odds to win Big 12: +550

Odds to win National Championship: +4000

Final Record: 10-2 (7-2)

Losses: @Baylor, @Oklahoma State

I will continue to believe Oklahoma is a perennial power until proven otherwise, and last season’s struggles serve only as fuel for this team to regain their position at the top. After an unofficial bye week November 7^th the Sooners end their season @ Baylor, TCU, @ OSU. Ouch.

#3 – Baylor Bears

Win Total O/U: 10

Odds to win Big 12: +250

Odds to win National Championship: +2500

Final Record: 10-2 (7-2)

Losses: @Kansas State, @TCU

Breaking in a new quarterback seems to mean little to those in Waco, and for good reason, but Baylor also has a history of losing games on the road and Manhattan is the Bears' first true test in 2015.

#4 – Oklahoma State Cowboys

Win Total O/U: 7.5

Odds to win Big 12: +700

Odds to win National Championship: +9000

Final Record: 8-4 (5-4)

Losses: @Texas, @West Virginia, TCU, Baylor

Mike Gundy has been great at competing for middle ground in the Big 12, with the notable exception of 2011, of course. This year should be another solid disappointing season for Cowboy fans.

#5 – West Virginia Mountaineers

Win Total O/U: 7.5

Odds to win Big 12: +1700

Odds to win National Championship: +20000

Final Record: 8-4 (5-4)

Losses: @ Oklahoma, @ Baylor, @ TCU, Iowa State (hey, it’s Thanksgiving weekend, anything can happen)

West Virginia’s schedule is brutal to begin conference play, and playing Oklahoma, Baylor and TCU all on the road during October is downright offensive. If they can weather the storm, late season momentum can carry them to a 5^th place finish.

#6 – Iowa State Cyclones

Win Total O/U: 3

Odds to win Big 12: +15000

Odds to win National Championship: +120000

Final Record: 6-6 (4-5)

Losses: @Toledo, TCU, @Baylor, @Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, @Kansas State

So, you're saying there’s a chance!

Go ahead and hate on me. Everyone wants to expect the worst this season, and after the past two years, who can blame you? But it’s almost August and damn it, I want to believe.

#7 – Texas Longhorns

Win Total O/U: 6

Odds to win Big 12: +1200

Odds to win National Championship: +8000

Final Record: 6-6 (4-5)

Losses: @Notre Dame, @TCU, Oklahoma, @Iowa State, @West Virginia, @Baylor

A second season with only six wins will put Charlie Strong unfairly in the hot seat, especially with the recently released rumor that Nick Satan really wanted to coach in Austin. Strong will get there, but is he strong enough to ignore the naysayers?

#8 – Kansas State Wildcats

Win Total O/U: 7

Odds to win Big 12: +1300

Odds to win National Championship: +17500

Final Record: 6-6 (3-6)

Losses: @Oklahoma State, TCU, Oklahoma, @Texas, Baylor, West Virginia

Even the most potent wizardry wears off eventually. Right?

#9 – Texas Tech Red Raiders

Win Total O/U: 5.5

Odds to win Big 12: +4000

Odds to win National Championship: +27500

Final Record: 3-9 (1-8)

Losses: @Arkansas, TCU, Baylor, Iowa State, @Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, @West Virginia, Kansas State, @Texas

I’ll admit that, on paper, this looks a little too far-fetched. But it’s Taco Tech, so screw ‘em.

#10 – Kansas Jayhawks

Win Total O/U: 1.5

Odds to win Big 12: +50000

Odds to win National Championship: +17500

Final Record: 0-12 (0-9)

Losses: All of them

The good news is it's Kansas, so literally nobody cares.